Do all men's pants start at 32w now?

Feb 11, 2012 4:47 PM

I usually wear 30W x 30L and it seems to be getting more and more difficult to find pants that are the right size.
Even when they are labeled as 30x30 they still don't fit correctly. I've been noticing this trend over the past 2 years. Where sizing will start at 32w when it used to start at 30w sometimes even 28w.
Could this be a trend followed by clothing that reflects on the expanding waist of the public?
Anyway, difficult to find proper fitting dress slacks, jeans, shorts, etc. even online.

Top Answers

Yep, it's probably because people are getting fatter, so the clothing companies must assume fewer people need 30-inch waist pants.

That said, I still find pants with 30 and even 29 inch waists rather easily. Not that I need them, but there always seems to be a pair buried in the stack of 38-inch waist pants. I think they're trying to tell me something...

On the women's side it's getting pretty annoying, too. The "regular" size of pants used to be a 30-32inch inseam. Now the "regular" size inseam for most women's pants is 34 inches. So I have to get just about every pair of (work) pants I buy hemmed. So add another $15 to cost. "Short" sizes are almost impossible to find, especially if you don't fit into the "petite" size section.

I'm also a 30 x 30 and have had this problem my entire adult life. Even when I worked at a department store, I had a hard time finding that size. And yes, they vary greatly when you do find them for some reason. The sad fact is that most guys these days with 30L have a 38-40 W or something like that and they just don't carry many 30 x 30. You have to almost buy from the brand new lines or designer racks, which are more pricey. And good luck finding anything on clearance. I can never find a pair of decent jeans that fit right.

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Yep, it's probably because people are getting fatter, so the clothing companies must assume fewer people need 30-inch waist pants.

That said, I still find pants with 30 and even 29 inch waists rather easily. Not that I need them, but there always seems to be a pair buried in the stack of 38-inch waist pants. I think they're trying to tell me something...

On the women's side it's getting pretty annoying, too. The "regular" size of pants used to be a 30-32inch inseam. Now the "regular" size inseam for most women's pants is 34 inches. So I have to get just about every pair of (work) pants I buy hemmed. So add another $15 to cost. "Short" sizes are almost impossible to find, especially if you don't fit into the "petite" size section.

Man, I hope not. I'm around a 28 waist and about the same leg. I can never find pants with legs short enough...if the smallest waist I'll be able to find is a 32...I'm going to have to make all the pants I currently own last the rest of my life.

Have you tried on a pair of the 32? I have found that in the last year pant sizes are being cut tighter. Wore the same style/size jeans for 4-5 years and then I bought a couple of new pairs not trying them on since same model I have worn for years and they fit me like spandex due to the fashion trend for tight fitting pants. 32 pants might now fit you the way your old 30's fit.

I'm also a 30 x 30 and have had this problem my entire adult life. Even when I worked at a department store, I had a hard time finding that size. And yes, they vary greatly when you do find them for some reason. The sad fact is that most guys these days with 30L have a 38-40 W or something like that and they just don't carry many 30 x 30. You have to almost buy from the brand new lines or designer racks, which are more pricey. And good luck finding anything on clearance. I can never find a pair of decent jeans that fit right.

For me, it's hard to find the proper length (28) for my shortness. Depending on brand, I can be a 34 or 36 waist, which is no problem... but they are always too long. I have dress pants hemmed, and I just "cuff" the bottom of my jeans.

yea, i know you don't wanna hear this, but have you gone to the boy's section? they have dress slacks and jeans in many styles including adult styles. a size 30 waist is a size 18 in boys. my nephew just got big enough to be in the transition stage and that's where we ended up.

@moosezilla: I really dont mind going to whatever section as long as the clothing will fit properly. But even when looking in the Boys/Young Men's/Teen section the size will still be difficult to find. And the problem when you do find them is that the clothes do look like they are made for a teen.

@figgers3036: There is no big deal. The precise point of the question is to inquire about how the average is shifting. If i was living in a place where everyone towers over me, I certainly would not expect stores to carry special clothes just to suit my size.
But this is a trend that has developed just recently. The issue is whether or not it's deliberate by manufacturers due to those sizes never really selling well at all, or a symptom of the expanding waistline for average people.

I fluctuate between a 30x30 and 32x32 depending upon the style of the jeans. Usually when I do shop for jeans or khakis or whatever there will be one or two pair stashed in with the 34 and 36 sizes. I have the most luck finding jeans at JC Penny's and Kohls, I also run into similar problems with dress shirts as well, it seems they always make those for people with large belly's. I tend to have to pay a higher price for ones that actually fit decent.

The 28/30W are now pretty much considered a young men's size. Popular in skater jeans and all that. You can still find 28/30W Levis and whatnot at places like Kohls or JCPenneys. Just gotta look around.

@meh3884: And to top it off, the standard "petite" length is 31 inches. I realize they're pushing the concept of wearing heels with one's pants, but I don't wear heels, so I get to spend the additional $15 IF they make the petite length, which doesn't happen often in the plus sizes.

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